By Idongesit F. Oduok
Electrolysis is the use of electric current to stimulate a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. In electrolysis an electric current is passed through an electrolytic solution to stimulate the flow of ions to bring about a chemical change. An electrolyte is a liquid (or generally salt solution of a metal) that conducts electricity.
Application of Electrolysis
Electrolysis has wide applications in industries. Some of the important applications are as follows:
(i) Production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water.
(ii) Manufacture of heavy water.
(iii) The metals like Na, K, Mg, Al, etc., are obtained by electrolysis of fused electrolytes.
(iv) Non-metals like hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine are obtained by electrolysis.
(v) Compounds like NaOH, KOH, white lead, etc. are synthesised by electrosynthesis method.
(vi) Electroplating: The process of coating an inferior metal with a superior metal by electrolysis is known as electroplating.
Faraday’s First Law of Electrolysis
The mass of the substance (m) deposited or liberated at any electrode is directly proportional to the quantity of electricity or charge (Q) passed.
Let me present a mathematical formula that can handle all of first law of electrolysis:
Class Work
1. Calculate the mass of copper deposited if a current of 0.2 Amps is passed for 2 hours through a copper(II) sulphate solution? (Cu = 63.5; Copper ion is Cu2+)
2. In an electrolysis of sodium chloride solution experiment a current of 2 A was passed for 2 minutes. Calculate the volume of chlorine deposited. (Cl = 35.5; Chlorine ion is Cl-)
Solve, snap and post the answers in the comment space. Post your questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment